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NBA Picks

NBA Picks of the Day: Sharp Handicapper's Attention on Totals

Hopefully you all are having a very happy holiday weekend; so while you’re feasting this afternoon or evening, check out these NBA Picks. These betting odds look like good value for Easter Sunday.

Sixers vs. Knicks
I know most everyone in the entire country can think of at least ten things in the next 15 seconds that they would rather be doing today than watching the Sixers and Knicks. I know this goes against popular thinking, but you don’t have to watch the game to make money on it.

The NBA odds for this snooze-fest though are actually pretty valuable. Right now the sportsbooks have this one dead even at a PK, however the better number for this one is surely the total, which sits at 189 points. The Sixers had to play last night, and they barely lost to the Hornets. However they likely would have won the game if it weren’t for Nerlens Noel going out early in the game with a cut on his eye that would not allow him to return.

His status tonight might make a difference in this play and it might not, but I am going with the over here, and hoping that the Sixers get their best defender back. However even if he doesn’t play, the trends are pointing to the under as well between two of the worst offensive teams in the NBA.

The under is 4-0 for the Knicks in their last four games against teams with losing teams, and the under is also 9-4 in their last 13 home games against teams with road winning percentages of less than 40%. On top of that the under is 23-10 for the Sixers this season when playing on the second night of a back to back, it’s 4-0 for Philly in their last four games against losing teams, and it’s 4-1 in their last five road games against teams with losing home records. While the total is low, it may not be low enough for these two.

NBA Pick: UNDER 189

Jazz vs. Sacramento
I don’t know how many other ways I can put it, but since the Enes Kanter trade, the Jazz may be the best defensive team in the NBA. If they aren’t they are surely in the top three or four best defensive teams, and tonight they head into Sacramento to play the Kings. Rudy Gay will still miss this game for the Kings due to lingering concussion symptoms from earlier last week, and the NBA Odds have the Kings as -2 favorites, with a total of 191 ½.

I am really tempted to take points with the Jazz here, however I think it may be a risky play. However they did get Derek Favors back from injury a couple of nights ago, so I can’t fault you for taking the points here. However Utah did play last night.

Instead I am going with the total again, which is once again too high here on a Sunday early-evening game. The under is 4-1 for the Kings in their last five games, and with Gay missing again, Sacramento is going to have a hard time scoring. DeMarcus Cousins will get his, but the Jazz are the best defensive team right now against big men, so it likely won’t be another triple double for Boogie tonight.

The Jazz are 5-0 cashing the under in their last five games playing on no rest, and the under is 17-7 in their last 24 games overall. The under is also 8-3 for the Jazz in their last 11 road games, so take it tonight and add it to your NBA picks.